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Few things are sadder than to see an animal that is skin and bones, trying valiantly to survive but losing the battle. A stray that is healthy and in good shape is another thing, but it is also rare.

Whether the pet is a runaway, or has been inadvertently lost, it is very hard to look in those sad eyes and do nothing at all, unless you have a heart of stone. The rewards for helping the animal cannot be explained or stressed enough until you've actually done it.

We lived for some years on a plot of land well away from the main road, and with nobody within an eighth mile on our own road, in either direction. People continuously dropped cats and dogs off near our home. Invariably, they found their way to us, where they seemed to sense that they'd receive food and attention, if not love.

In one year alone, we ended up with 42 cats and 11 dogs at our door, begging for comfort and caring. Indeed, this is an epidemic throughout the country, especially in the cities, but this was the country. We learned from the Humane Society that this is an exceedingly common occurrence.

The first thing we've always done is to make a legitimate attempt to find the owner, if there is one. Radio stations, newspapers, and even TV stations will very often put the word out so that the pet can go back to its owner.

More often than not, there is no response to this attempt. It then becomes even more personal; because you have to balance what abilities and funds you have to care for the animal, and your own personal feelings toward it.

Sometimes the dog or cat pound is the best way to allow the animals to have a chance to have a good home. There are many stories about the horrors of the pound, and many of them have merit. However, each of us can only do so much, and then we need help in one way or the other. If you can't adequately feed the animal, no matter how much you care for it, how much good are you doing for the pet?

Once you adopt a stray, the first order is to take it to the vet for a checkout. Being alone and trying to survive on the streets subject the animal to a lot of things that the average animal will not be subjected to. Think about its most immediate needs. Does it need food and water more than anything? Does it need a bath? Does it need attention? You must be prepared to give it all of these things.

A stray pet can become extremely special, and may make you wonder why the owner let the pet go. Truth is that sometimes it isn't as simple as that. In the past year, right after moving, I lost a very dear cat that I will think about every day for a long time to come. I'm sure that he was trying to find his way back to the home he knew, but he will always be my baby, and I blame myself for his loss, not the open window he jumped out of. I just pray that he found someone who will love and care for him as I always did.

The pet is the focus. It makes no difference if it was 'dumped', or if it just wandered in, the welfare of the animal is supreme. Give the animal care, try to contact the owners, and if you decide what you want to do is adopt, keep in mind the needs of the pet.

We've had a little dog now for 15 years that was a stray that we got from the dog pound. A more loving animal you will never find. She loves everyone in the house, including other animals. She is getting old now, and is in the autumn of her life, but I cannot begin to express the amount of love we've received from her through the years. She asks for so little in return for the unconditional love, a warm place to sleep, food, and water.

Is it worth it to adopt a stray pet? Oh, yes, it is!

Learn more about this author, Rex Trulove.
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